Page 87 of That’s My Orc, Tusk Off

“We told him we’re mated,” I announced.

Whoops rang out. The orcs sprang from their chairs and crowded around us, patting Traig’s shoulder, Drogar giving me a big hug and sweeping me off my feet to spin me around. When he placed me back on my feet, he kissed my cheek.

“So happy for you,” he said.

“It’s pretend,” I shouted, breaking through the congratulations.

Silence dropped immediately, the orcs exchanging looks.

“What’s pretend?” Krem asked, stepping into the break room.

“Their mating that I guess is not a mating.” Drogar’s smile faded fast.

“Mating?” Krem asked, his eyebrows lifted. “I…actually wanted to let you know that the school called and asked if they could delay the first visit. One of the parents who volunteered to assist is away that week.”

That was good. The last thing we needed right now was to deal with a pretend mating plus a looming school visit.

“Why a pretend mating?” Drogar asked.

“Because—” My voice broke. I tried again. “Because they were going to take him back to the kingdom. He was about to tell the scribe he didn’t have a mate. I couldn’t let that happen.”

Traig’s hand found mine.

“Because Willa saved me,” he said quietly.

“I jumped in to help Traig,” I said, my voice shaky. “The why doesn’t matter⁠—”

“Sure it does,” Greth said, studying my face.

“Not right now,” I said. “The scribe is coming back in two hours, and he expects to find a couple living together in Traig’s cottage.”

“We need your help to move Willa’s things there,” Traig said.

“Of course.” Laina gave me a concerned look. “We’re happy to help.”

Traig’s gaze swept across his friends. “We need to make it look like⁠—”

“Like you’re mated.” Brovish was already striding to the door. “Let’s go.”

The others followed us outside.

My apartment looked smaller with five orcs and two humans crowding into it.

Brovish surveyed the living room, his hands on his hips. “We’ll need boxes. Many boxes.”

“I have some in the storage closet,” I said, already heading that way.

Drogar followed. “This is exciting. Like a mission. A mission for mating.” He grinned. “I’ve always wanted to go on one of those.”

“It’s a logistical nightmare,” I said.

“That too.”

We worked fast. Laina helped me pack clothes while the guys placed one object after another inside boxes. I ended up having to help them, leaving Laina to pick what she thought I’d need. Whatever it took to convince the scribe that I’d lived with Traig for at least a few weeks.

“I can’t believe the scribe had no issue with me and Traig deciding almost from the moment we met that we were meant to be together.”

“That’s how it always is with orcs,” Laina said, setting two bags of clothing by the door for the guys to carry out to Traig’s truck.